Homeless Unhappy with Lucas Park Gate

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – The homeless are beginning to wonder when the fence will come down around the Lucas Park downtown.

“I can’t even go in there and sit there and read my bible if I want to because of this fence,” says a local homeless woman.

The park located at 14th and Locust was fenced off for renovations more than a year ago. The park appears to have paved walkways, freshly cut grass and new playground equipment, but the fence still remains.

“The unwritten message to me is stay out, this is not for you” says Fred Stallard, who’s also homeless. “This is for people who are working, who have kids, who have dogs. The dogs are being treated better here than the homeless people here, actually.”

The fence that surrounds the park has one opening on the side of the park facing the rear of the Washington Avenue loft district. Previously, residents have complained of the homeless loitering, bathing, urinating and leaving drug needles under the shade trees.

KMOX is awaiting a call back form Mayor Slay’s office regarding when the fence will come down.